Family raised alarm on light aircraft crash which claimed three students
The aircraft was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before losing contact, which prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation.
KwaZulu-Natal transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) notified authorities that the student-piloted aircraft had gone missing shortly after 3pm.
The aircraft was en route to Johannesburg and scheduled to refuel in Greytown after a change in flight plan from the original stop in Mnambithi.
KwaZulu-Natal traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli said the alarm was first raised early on Monday morning by the family of student pilot Nqobile Biyela.
'The student pilot's mom, who was in Johannesburg, and another relative in Empangeni, contacted us at about 7am to report the aircraft missing. The student's aunt clarified that the mother would follow up as they were urgently seeking help to locate the [aircraft].'
According to Duma, his department, in collaboration with the ARCC, mobilised to assist in the search, taking into account severe weather conditions as forecast by the SA Weather Service.
The department also worked closely with the head of department Siboniso Mbhele, co-ordinating efforts with local transport forums in Umgungundlovu and Uthukela districts and activated community leaders to assist.
The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered on Monday morning in the Midlands, confirming the deaths of the three occupants — student pilots Biyela, 23, and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, 23, and medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi, 20.
Duma expressed his condolences, adding the crash happened in Youth Month.
'Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these promising young individuals. This is a tragic moment for all of us.'
According to Msweli, the aircraft was one of a group of three flying from Durban to Johannesburg.
'Three aircraft left Durban for Johannesburg. The plan was to refuel in Mnambithi, but it was changed to Greytown.'
The first aircraft encountered difficulty during its approach and crash-landed in a nearby field near Greytown Airport.
'That plane wasn't able to land properly and crashed in bushy terrain,' said Msweli. 'The two pilots on board were not injured.'
The second aircraft landed safely, refuelled and continued its journey. The third plane, flown by Biyela, never made it to its destination.
'It crashed into a field filled with gumtrees. There were three people on board,' said Msweli.
Duma said the crash is being investigated by SAPS and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and a report is expected from the SACAA accident and incident investigation division within 30 days.
'The report will serve as a source of comfort for the families. We are aware that postmortem examinations will be essential in identifying the causes, injuries and survival factors of this crash.'
Eagle Air, the aviation school at which the students were training, said the loss was a blow for the aviation industry.
'As a close-knit aviation family, we feel this loss profoundly. This is a painful moment for all of us — one that hits close to home. We are heartbroken by this devastating loss and extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.'
In honour of the victims Eagle Air announced the temporary suspension of its flight operations.
'We will close our flight school for the coming week to provide space for mourning and reflection. This time will be dedicated to supporting the families, our staff, our students and the broader community who are grieving.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Invaded land: families hopeful they will soon visit the gravesites of loved ones
One of many gravesites of persons from the community that died as early as the 1940s. Image: Supplied THE families of those who were buried in the Seaview Cemetery are hopeful they will soon be able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones, after the land was invaded by informal dwellers more than 20 years ago. Some of the make-shift homes were built on top of gravesites. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, said graveyards were sacred places and should be respected. He said the department was in the process of profiling the informal dwellers with the aim of relocating them. 'Our hearts are with the families of the departed souls that should be resting in peace in the cemetery. We recall that residents were forcefully removed from the area as a result of the Group Areas Act. Under a democratic government, they must be allowed to reconnect with their loved ones,' said Duma. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Informal dwellings have been erected next to or on top of gravesites at the Seaview Cemetery. Image: Supplied He said Max Mbili, the head of department, department officials, and a team of community based workers were in the process of profiling people living in the cemetery. 'While we understand that people are moving from far-flung areas to eThekwini in search of socio-economic opportunities and that there is a shortage of houses and land. We call on communities to respect the departed soul. Cemeteries are sacred places where the dead must be allowed to rest in peace. 'We now want to establish the identity of the people there, whether they received houses in the past in Welbedacht and sold them or rented them out. We also want to ensure that only South Africans are registered as per the government policy.' Duma added that the department supported the upcoming National Dialogue, which was spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'We will need to have our own dialogue in Seaview, Chatsworth, and uMlazi, among other areas. We must work together to ensure we allow families in the area or those who have graves on farms, and were forcefully removed, can go back to the graves to honour the deceased and connect with their heritage. Many former residents that were forced to leave their childhood homes for Chatsworth, due to the Group Areas Act, said they were unable to visit the gravesites due to restrictions at the time, and later the building of informal dwellings. Krishna Naidoo, 85, said the cemetery, initially known as the Seaview Vishnu Cemetery, was opened by his grandfather's uncles. 'They came to South Africa as businessmen, and not as indentured labourers. They formed the Seaview and District Hindoo Cemetery Trust and requested the authority of the city council to use the land as a burial ground in the late 1930s. 'They also used their own money to build the Seaview Shree Vishnu Temple, which was later demolished during the Group Areas Act. 'The cemetery is where my grandparents and brother were buried. There were also many other family members that passed on before the Group Areas Act that were also buried. 'I still remember it had a big gate and the sign 'Seaview Vishnu Cemetery' on it. We used to pass the cemetery on the way to school every day. We also cleaned the graves, put flowers and did prayers.' Naidoo said he had not visited the cemetery since being moved from the area. 'When we were able to freely move around again, it was difficult and unsafe to go to the cemetery as people began building shacks. We have had gatherings of old residents in the area, but we look at the cemetery from a distance. 'However, if they can remove those people who have illegally settled in the cemetery and clean it up, I would be happy. I also wish I could be buried next to my loved ones,' he said. Moonsamy Moodley, 78, said his father and several other family members were buried at the cemetery. 'I am left deeply saddened to see the state of the cemetery. We used to visit at least once a week to clean the graves, and sometimes put flowers if it was a special occasion. 'However, while it is not right to build houses on graves, I can understand that people have become desperate for homes or some type of shelter. I hope they will now get proper homes. We will hopefully be able to pay our respects to our elders again soon,' he said. Lalanthra Dass, 64, said her grandfather and his brother were buried at the cemetery. 'With the assistance of one of the residents, my father and I last visited the cemetery about four years ago. It was disappointing to see the condition, especially the damages to many of the gravesites. I can only hope that once the people are removed, the cemetery will be restored and maintained.' Gopaul Pillay, 77, wants to visit his mother's gravesite. 'My mother died when I was just a year old. I never had the chance to meet her and for many years I have not been able to go back to her resting place. There have been many occasions when I just wanted to drive to the area and visit the cemetery, but was told it was not safe. Now I have hope that we will be able to go to the cemetery.' Khaleel Kazi, a resident for the past 73 years and a community activist, said: 'The African understanding of ancestral worship is profound. You give dignity to these souls (the deceased) and sanctity to the hallowed burial ground. Therefore, what we have seen happen at the cemetery reflects the level that people have been let down and what they have had to resort to doing. 'It is a sad indictment on the leadership and promise in the document called The Freedom Charter, which, to a large extent, laid the foundations of our Constitutional understanding of Human Rights. 'The Department of Human Settlements now has this task of relocating these informal settlers. However, it must be noted that there is no shortage of land. The area around the cemetery is in the hands of the state and has remained vacant after the forced removal of Indians from the area and the expropriation of land. Why not use the land to build proper homes?' he said. THE POST
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- The Citizen
Toddler among two killed in Kennedy Road Settlement fire
Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. Bandile Zulu and Nonhle Mbango, victims of Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire. Image: Collage/ SUpplied/ MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma. A 19-month-old baby and a 25-year-old woman died in a devastating fire that swept through Kennedy Road Informal Settlements, destroying 122 shacks. According to officials, the blaze originated from a burning candle. The victims have been identified as Bandile Zulu, the 19-month-old baby, and Nonhle Mbango, 25, who had recently buried her father just weeks before the tragedy. Government response to Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said he engaged with Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane to coordinate emergency assistance for affected families. 'We wish to report that a roving team involving officials from the national Department of Human Settlements, the provincial Department of Human Settlements, and the eThekwini Municipality is already working out a plan to speed up the delivery of building material,' Duma said. The MEC confirmed that officials from his office have already met with the bereaved families. 'We send our deepest condolences to Zulu and Mbango families. May the departed souls rest in peace,' he stated. According to Duma, relief efforts awaited the completion of verification processes by disaster management teams from eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). ALSO READ: 'His brother is not coming back': Heartbroken mother speaks after toddler dies in Pretoria tent fire Extended family notification Duma indicated that authorities are prioritising communication with extended family members in distant areas. 'At this stage, their focus is to ensure that extended families in Mount Frere and Umzimkhulu are properly informed about the tragedy,' he said. The MEC is working alongside Ward 25 Councillor Themba Mkhize to assist families with burial arrangements for their loved ones. Recurring disaster pattern and relocation challenges Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. 'Kennedy Road Informal Settlements are always affected by fires and natural disasters such as floods,' Duma noted. The MEC expressed concern about settlement patterns despite previous relocation efforts. Many residents who were originally relocated to alternative areas returned to the informal settlement. 'Critically, we remain worried about the fact that residents who originally lived there were relocated to the newly built houses in Waterloo and double-story homes just across Kennedy Road,' Duma stated. During a recent meeting with Minister Simelane and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, officials agreed on stronger enforcement measures. The leadership consensus focused on implementing bylaws to prevent people from reoccupying or renting shacks in the area. ALSO READ: Six-year-old Limpopo boy shot in the head by stray bullet Urban migration realities Despite enforcement challenges, Duma acknowledged the broader socio-economic factors driving the growth of informal settlements. People continue to migrate to eThekwini and other secondary cities in search of economic opportunities. 'These are realities that we are grappling with,' he said. MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed the government's multi-level response to the tragedy. The spokesperson emphasised that building material delivery plans are already underway, pending final verification by the disaster team. READ NEXT: George building collapse 'was entirely preventable' – report
IOL News
13-07-2025
- IOL News
Family receives new home on Mandela Day after tragic floods in Durban
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, flood victim Ntombikhona Mhlongo, eThekwini Municipality councillor Bheki Mngwengwe, eThekwini Municipality councillor Protas Mngonyama and eThekwini Municipality councillor Sbusiso Lushaba. Image: Thobeka Ngema The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is set to provide a house to a Durban family on Mandela Day. This family was impacted by the February 2025 floods and is still grieving the loss of their matriarch, Zondeni Gcabashe. Gcabashe was swept away by floodwaters along with four other individuals. While the other four bodies have been recovered, Gcabashe's remains are yet to be found. Gcabashe's family was part of the flood victims who were evicted from Bayside Lodge during the week and left on the streets before the department moved the flood victims to accommodation in Umbilo. Speaking at the accommodation on Sunday, Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said that they wanted to ensure that on Mandela Day, Gcabashe's family would be the only ones who were not affected by the 2022 floods who would receive a house. Duma stated that this would allow the family to conduct their rituals and find closure. 'So we already conveyed the news, which they have embraced, they took it very positively, and we just want to highlight that the only reason this family is going to be on the list, we just have to take that into cognisance,' Duma said. Gcabashe's daughter, Ntombikhona Mhlongo, confirmed her mother has not been found. She said she would cry daily and make calls day and night. 'Today (Sunday), they told us we will get a home so we can continue my mother's rituals. We asked about continuing it at the flat, but we were told we couldn't. We were told they would try for a house, we should wait,' Mhlongo said. She said this way they can fetch her mother's spirit, and perhaps it will be revealed where her body is located. 'If we look traditionally, we cannot find her. And she doesn't want to be taken to relatives. Maybe if we find the home she was fighting for, maybe she will come to light,' Mhlongo said. She expressed gratitude to all three government spheres and the help they received when they were evicted. 'The area is good, everything is okay,' Mhlongo said about their new accommodation in Umbilo. Additionally, Duma visited some flood victims in Umbilo. 'We found that the people (flood victims) are happy; they report that the situation has improved, and they feel secure,' Duma said. Human Settlements head of department Max Mbili said all three spheres of government have strengthened their coordination so the current temporary accommodation occupants will not be evicted. 'We can give you assurance that it won't happen. Since Wednesday, we are having meetings to ensure that we put internal controls so that what we saw on Wednesday and Thursday doesn't happen again,' Mbili said. 'We can give that assurance, but in a nutshell, we are saying through coordination, it won't happen. It will remain like this until a permanent solution is given.' [email protected]
